Preamble

The House met at Eleven of the Clock, Mr. SPEAKER in the Chair.

STANDING ORDERS.

Ordered, That the Standing Orders be printed.

MESSAGE FROM THE LORDS.

That they have agreed to,

Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill,
Ministry of Health Provisional Orders (Yeovil Extension and Water) Bill,
Ministry of Health Provisional Orders (No. 4) Bill, without Amendment.

Amendments to—

County of Cornwall Bill [Lords],
Galloway Water Power Bill [Lords], without Amendment.

Orders of the Day — CONSOLIDATED FUND (APPROPRIATION) BILL.

Considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment; read the Third time, and passed.

Mr. SPEAKER: I understand that a Royal Commission will be held at half-past Eleven, and I propose now to leave the Chair, and return at that time.

Sitting suspended until half-past Eleven of the Clock.

Orders of the Day — ROYAL ASSENT.

On resuming—

Message to attend the Lords Commissioners.

The Souse went; and, having returned,

Mr. SPEAKER (standing in the Clerk's place at the Table): I have to acquaint the House that the House has been to the House of Peers, where a Commission, under the Great Seal, was read, authorising the Royal Assent to—

1. Finance Act, 1929.
2. Appropriation Act, 1929.
3. Companies Act, 1929.
4. Gas Undertakings Act, 1929.
5. Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929.
6. Agricultural Rates Act, 1929.
7. Savings Banks Act, 1929.
8. Industrial Assurance and Friendly Societies Act, 1929.
9. Government Annuities Act, 1929.
10. Chatham and Sheerness Stipendiary Magistrate Act, 1929.
11. Pharmacy Act, 1929.
12. Artificial Cream Act, 1929.
13. Bridges Act, 1929.
14. Infant Life Preservation Act, 1929.
15. Fire Brigade Pensions Act, 1929.
16. Age of Marriage Act, 1929.
17. Police Magistrates Superannuation (Amendment) Act, 1929.
18. Bastardy (Witness Process) Act, 1929.
19. Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1929.
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20. Doncaster Area Drainage Act, 1929.
21. St. John's Hospital (Winchester) and other Charities Scheme Confirmation Act, 1929.
22. Provisional Orders (Marriages) Confirmation Act, 1929.
23. Ministry of Health Provisional Orders Confirmation (No. 4) Act, 1929.
24. Ministry of Health Provisional Order (No. 5) Act, 1929.
25. Ministry of Health Provisional Orders (No. 6) Act, 1929.
26. Ministry of Health Provisional Order (Middlesbrough Extension) Act, 1929.
27. Ministry of Health Provisional Orders Confirmation (Yeovil Extension and Water) Act, 1929.
28. Ministry of Health Provisional Order (Merthyr Tydfil Water Charges) Act, 1929.
29. Doncaster Corporation (Trolley Vehicles) Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
30. Southend-on-Sea Corporation (Trolley Vehicles) Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
31. Falkirk Burgh Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
32. Nith Navigation Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
33. Kirkcaldy Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
34. Dumfries and Maxwelltown Burghs Amalgamation Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
35. Dysart Corporation Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
36. London and North Eastern Railway Order Confirmation Act, 1929.
37. Yorktown (Camberley) and District Gas and Electricity Act, 1929.
38. London and North Eastern Railway-Act, 1929.
39. Birkenhead Corporation Water Act, 1929.
40. Blackburn Corporation Act, 1929.
41. Pacific Cable Board (Pension and Provident Funds) Act, 1929.
42. Salford Corporation Act, 1929.
43. Metropolitan Water Board Act, 1929.
44. Crowborough District Water Act, 1929.
45. Gas Light and Coke Company's Act, 1929.
46. Great Western Railway Act, 1929.
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47. Leamington and Warwick Traction Act, 1929.
48. Llanfrechfa Upper and Llantarnam Water Board Act, 1929.
49. London, Midland, and Scottish Railway Act, 1929.
50. Royal Victoria and Other Docks Approaches (Improvement) Act, 1929.
51. Southern Railway Act, 1929.
52. Tyne Improvement Act, 1929.
53. Westminster City (Millbank) Improvement Act, 1929.
54. Winchester Water and Gas Act, 1929.
55. Windermere Urban District Council Act, 1929.
56. London County Council (Money) Act, 1929.
57. Great Western Railway (Air Transport) Act, 1929.
58. London and North Eastern Railway (Air Transport) Act, 1929.
59. London, Midland, and Scottish Railway (Air Transport) Act, 1929.
60. Southern Railway (Air Transport) Act, 1929.
61. Soke and City of Peterborough Act, 1929.
62. Methodist Church Union Act, 1929.
63. Southampton Corporation Act, 1929.
64. Nottingham Corporation Act, 1929.
65. Southport and District Water Act, 1929.
66. Lewes Corporation Act, 1929.
67. Halifax Corporation Act, 1929.
68. Gosport and Fareham Omnibus Services Act, 1929.
69. Haslingden Corporation Act, 1929.
70. Jarrow and South Shields Light Railways (abandonment) Act, 1929.
71. Preston Corporation Act, 1929.
72. Iveagh Bequest (Kenwood) Act, 1929.
73. Birmingham Corporation (Rivers Improvement) Act, 1929.
74. Oldbury Urban District Council Act, 1929.
75. Aire and Calder Navigation Act, 1929.
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76. Chatham and District Traction Act, 1929.
77. Cheltenham District Traction Act, 1929.
78. Mexborough and Swinton Traction Act, 1929.
79. Mansfield District Traction Act, 1929.
80. Newport (Salop) Urban District Council Act, 1929.
81. Mount Vernon Hospital Act, 1929.
82. Warrington Corporation Water Act, 1929.
83. Galloway Water Power Act, 1929.
84. Manchester Corporation Act, 1929.
85. County of Cornwall Act, 1929.
86. South Lancashire Transport Act, 1929.
87. Grimsby Corporation (Dock, etc.) Act, 1929.
88. Wandsworth, Wimbledon, and Epsom District Gas Act, 1929.
89. Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Electric Power Act, 1929.
90. London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1929.
91. Kingston-upon-Hull Extension Act, 1929.
92. Imperial Continental Gas Association Act, 1929.
93. Rhodes Trust Act, 1929.
94. Tunbridge Wells Corporation Act, 1929.
95. Smethwick Corporation Act, 1929.
96. Metropolitan Railway Act, 1929.
97. Pontypridd Urban District Council Act, 1929.
98. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Gateshead Gas Act, 1929.
99. Chester Corporation Act, 1929.
100. Beaumont Thomas Estate Act, 1929.

And to the following Measures passed under the provisions of the Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act, 1919:

1. Parochial Registers and Records Measure, 1929.
2. Representation of the Laity Measure, 1929.
3. Ecclesiastical Dilapidations (Amendment) Measure, 1929.
4. Westminster Abbey Measure, 1929.

Orders of the Day — PROROGATION.

HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS SPEECH.

Mr. SPEAKER: I have further to acquaint the House that the Lord High Chancellor, being one of the High Commissioners, delivered His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech to both Houses of Parliament in pursuance of His Majesty's Commands, as followeth:

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons:: My relations with Foreign Powers continue to be friendly.
The negotiations for My participation in the multilateral Treaty for the Renunciation of War in the form proposed by the Government of the United States were successfully concluded on the 2nd March last when My ratifications of this instrument in respect of all parts of My Empire were deposited in Washington.
I have entrusted My Son, the Duke of Gloucester, with the Mission of conferring the Insignia of the Order of the Garter upon the Emperor of Japan as a token of My high regard for His Imperial Majesty, and as a pledge of the friendship which unites Our two countries in their determination to cooperate for the peaceful settlement of international questions, both in the Far East and in the world at large.
I hope that events in China will continue to show improvement and gradual progress towards more stable conditions. I am glad that it has been possible for full recognition to be accorded to the National Government established at Nanking and for My Government to conclude with them a Treaty recognising the principle of complete tariff autonomy.
Owing to the uncertain situation in Afghanistan and the absence of a settled Government, My Representative was withdrawn from Kabul at the end of February. It is My earnest hope that internal peace may soon be restored and a Government established acceptable to the people generally with
which my Government will be able to resume the friendly intercourse of the past.
My Government have continued to press for the reduction of armaments in consultation with other Governments at Geneva. New hope of an early settlement of the question of further naval disarmament has recently been given by the speech of the United States delegate there, of which My Government were not slow to express their appreciation.
My Government have announced their intention of taking the necessary action to enable Me to accept, subject to reciprocity, the Protocol prohibiting chemical and bacteriological methods of warfare. All My Governments in My Dominions have announced a similar intention.
The seven members of your two Houses, to whom, eighteen months ago, I issued a Commission to enquire into the working of the existing system of government in India, have now completed the first part of their task. They have visited India twice to acquire information and collect evidence for the purpose of their enquiry. They have enjoyed the co-operation of Committees of Provincial Legislatures, as well as that of a Committee of members of the Central Legislature who, at the invitation of My Government, will be associated wih them also in the final stages of their enquiry. There lies before them, to complete their arduous task, the duty of framing a Report which, when drawn, will be presented to the Parliament at that time assembled. I pray that success may crown their labours.
In pursuance of the recommendations of the Imperial Conference of 1926, arrangements have been made for the meeting in London in October next of an Expert Committee on the Operation of Dominion Legislation, consisting of representatives of My Governments, and for the holding of a Sub-Conference on Merchant Shipping Legislation.

Members of the House of Commons: I thank you for the provision you have made for the public service.

My Lords and Members of the House of Commons: The number of persons unemployed in certain industries during the past year has continued to cause anxiety, but a substantial improvement has taken place and there are good grounds for the belief that we are moving towards a higher level of employment in all parts of the country. The reorganisation of industry, and its development in new directions, are steadily proceeding and, with continued co-operation and goodwill between employers and workers, will lay the foundation for a lasting improvement. It is clear, however, that owing to the altered needs of industry a redistribution of workers must take place on a large scale and it has been the policy of My Ministers to aid and guide this movement by schemes of training and transference.
I have given My assent to the measures embodying the comprehensive scheme which has been before you for relieving agriculture and other productive industries from the burden of rates, for the reorganisation of local government and for the readjustment of the financial relations between the State and the local authorities. The measure of relief in respect of railway freights which it has been possible to give in regard to selected industrial and agricultural traffics in anticipation of the general scheme has proved of value. It is a hopeful augury of the greater and more widespread benefits that should accrue, particularly to the basic trades whose conditions are least satisfactory, when the full scheme of relief takes effect.
I have given My assent to a Measure providing that in the case of agriculture this relief from rates shall come into force immediately.
My Ministers are confident that the reforms in local government, which include recommendations made by My
commission on Local Government, and the reorganisation of the financial relations between the State and the local authorities will promote efficiency and economy in local administration, will enable better provision to be made for the health and welfare of the people, and will in particular direct special relief to those areas whose needs are most pressing.
Steady progress continues to be made in the provision of houses, and the reductions in costs which are being secured should materially facilitate the erection of houses for the less well-paid members of the community.
My Ministers have initiated an inquiry into the radium requirements of the country in the light of the knowledge and experience gained as to the importance of radium in the treatment of cancer, and in accordance with the recommendation made to them they have agreed to contribute to a fund for the acquisition of a stock of radium. It is My earnest hope that this action may prove a substantial step forward in the campaign against one of the most distressing maladies known to mankind.
I have given My assent to a Bill effecting a consolidation of the law as to companies.
A Bill has also been passed which, it is hoped, will assist the further development of the gas industry.
Measures have been passed for the reform of Local Government in Scotland and for granting substantial relief from the burden of rates to agricultural, industrial and freight-transport lands and heritages.
Provision has also been made to increase the available facilities for the supply of credit to the agricultural industry in Scotland.
The Scottish Departments of Health, Agriculture, Prisons and other Departments have been reorganised in accordance with the terms of the Reorganisation of Offices (Scotland) Act of last Session.
In bidding you farewell, I pray that the blessing of Almighty God may rest upon your labours.

Then a Commission for proroguing the Parliament was read.

After which the LORD CHANCELLOR said:

My Lords and Members,—By virtue of His Majesty's Commission, under the Great Seal, to us and other Lords directed, and now read, we do, in His Majesty's name and in obedience to His Majesty's Commands, prorogue this Parliament to Friday, the twenty-fourth day
of May, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine, to be then here holden; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued until Friday, the twenty-fourth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine.

End of the Fifth Session (opened Tuesday, 6th November, 1928) of the Thirty-fourth Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in the Twentieth year of the Reign of His Majesty King George the Fifth.